Some of the fastest teams ever among top ten Iditarod finishers
Never in Iditarod history have as many teams finished the 1000 mile race in under nine days, but this year, eight of the top ten teams did just that. Some of the mushers who crossed the finish line faced enormous adversity on their way to Nome. But without any major weather events most of the mushing that took place was simply the fastest in the race’s history. Download Audio
The Iditarod is moving to Fairbanks
Once again, the Iditarod start is moving to Fairbanks. Listen now
Iditapod: Recapping the Kuskokwim 300
In this episode we talk about:
- This year's Kuskokwim 300 with Ben Matheson.
- Mushing's rural to urban migration with Zachariah Hughes
Iditapod: The Yukon Quest
In Episode 2, we talk to Molly Rettig about the Yukon Quest and Brent Sass's scratch; and to Zachariah Hughes about the Iditarod start moving to Fairbanks and the economics of dog handling.
Iditapod: Last Year’s Iditarod
In this episode we take a look back at the 2016 Iditarod, including: The Seavey dynasty, Jeff King and Aliy Zirkle's dangerous encounter with a snowmachine near Nulato, and Brent Sass withdraws from the 2017 Iditarod.
Iditapod: The 2017 Iditarod
In Episode 4, we take a look at the 2017 Iditarod, including: The race route from Fairbanks to Nome, big rule changes, mushers to watch, the ceremonial start, and we answer a few questions from our listeners.
Ryan Redington will be first musher on 2017 Iditarod Trail
Ryan Redington will be the first musher to hit the trail Monday morning in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The grandson of Iditarod race founder Joe Redington, Sr., the younger Redington pulled bib #2 from a mukluk at the Iditarod Mushers’ Drawing Banquet Thursday night. Listen now
Iditapod: The Ceremonial Start of the 2017 Iditarod
In Episode 5 we talk about the ceremonial start of the 2017 Iditarod, and: Fur Rendezvous; trailgating; mushers' reactions to the allowance of two-way communications devices on the trail; and innovative musher clothing designs.
Iditapod: The 2017 Iditarod’s Fairbanks Restart
In Episode 6, we talk about: The 2017 Iditarod's restart in Fairbanks, weather and trail conditions in the Interior, and race strategies.
As mushers race to Nome, a Chicago educator will teach on the trail
The Iditarod trail won't be full of just mushers: a teacher will be following along as part of a yearly program. Listen now
Proper packing becomes more important as mushers kick off from Fairbanks
Mushers are on the rivers heading out of Fairbanks right now, as the 45th Iditarod starts in earnest. This is the second time in three races that the restart has been in Fairbanks. And a lot of the mushers have vivid memories of the 2015 race, so this year, they’re trying to pack accordingly. Listen now
Iditapod: Mushers check in at Manley Hot Springs
In Episode 7, we talk about: Early race trail conditions, new sled-building and packing strategies, and we hear interviews with Dallas Seavey and Lance Mackey.
Mushers adjust to deep cold near Manley Hot Springs
During the first night of this year’s Iditarod, teams endured frigid temperatures on the Tanana River to reach the second checkpoint of Manley Hot Springs. Teams are adjusting to the deep cold and preparing to push to the Yukon River, where the race will unfold. Listen now
Iditapod: Nicolas Petit leads mushers to the Yukon
In Episode 8, we talk about Nicolas Petit being the first to the Yukon, Martin Buser's recovery from last year's injury, Yukon Quest v. Iditarod, and veteran dog teams.
After a bruising 2016, Martin Buser upbeat for 2017
Last year, Martin Buser had a tough Iditarod. He finished in 37th place, his lowest position on the leader-board in a decades-long career. But this year, as the four-time champion charges through the race’s early checkpoints, a lot of things are going better.
Mushers hit Tanana, weighing rests; as first to the Yukon, Petit feasts
Iditarod mushers reached the Yukon River last night at Tanana. Teams are ready to launch their race plans as the 8-hour and 24-hour rest periods come into view. But first, they must run the longest stretch of the race between checkpoints and make it through the early race with their teams intact.
Iditapod: Wade Marrs is the first musher into Ruby
In Episode 9, we talk about Wade Marrs leading the way to Ruby, run/rest strategies, two-way communications,and a story from Iditarod past.
Wade Marrs leads Iditarod 2017 into Ruby
Wade Marrs led two past champions into the Ruby checkpoint last night in the 2017 Iditarod. 350 miles into the trail, the racing is underway as teams plot their next moves along hundreds of winding miles on the Yukon River.
Push or pause? Near Iditarod’s mid-point, mushers decide when to rest
It’s break time on the Iditarod trail, as teams hunker down for 24 hours of uninterrupted rest along the Yukon River or consider pushing down the trail to a later checkpoint. As the race approaches the halfway point mushers try to plan how to get the most from their tactical breaks. Listen now
With sick dogs, Zirkle takes her 24-hour rest earlier than planned
Iditarod veteran Aliy Zirkle has had to upend her race plans and declare a 24-hour rest in Galena because of sick dogs. Listen now